Do herbal heartburn remedies work?

There isn't much research into herbal remedies for heartburn. However, several products have been registered under the medicine regulator MHRA's Traditional Herbal Registration scheme. This doesn’t mean the herbal remedies have been proven to work, but it does confirm traditional use and good manufacturing standards.

Just because herbal remedies may be seen as 'natural', they can still interfere with other medicines so seek medical advice first.

Can drinking milk help my heartburn?

You may have heard that drinking a glass of milk can relieve heartburn. While milk may temporarily buffer stomach acid, nutrients in milk, particularly fat, will stimulate the stomach to produce more acid. Even though milk might not be a great heartburn remedy, it's a rich source of bone-building calcium. Try fat-free skimmed milk, and don't overdo it. Drink no more than 225ml (8floz) of skimmed milk at a time - as a snack in between meals. Overfilling the stomach may increase heartburn.

Is chewing gum an effective way to get heartburn relief?

It may sound strange but gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is an acid buffer. Chewing gum also makes you swallow more often, which pushes those nasty acids back out of your oesophagus. When you pick a packet of gum, make sure it's sugar-free so you also protect your teeth, and avoid peppermint flavour.

Finding heartburn relief at home

A few simple strategies can help soothe the burn of heartburn:

Watch what you eat. Avoid foods that you find trigger heartburn. Common culprits include peppermint, caffeine, fizzy drinks, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and high-fat foods. Eat more fibre to keep your digestive tract moving and healthy. Also reduce your portion sizes. Try eating five or six small meals a day, rather than three big ones. Eating too much at once is a big heartburn trigger.

Watch when you eat. Push away the plate at least three hours before bedtime so your stomach has a chance to empty before you lie down.

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